Surface Chemical Properties of Biointerfaces

Course Code: BM712E

Institution:

Biomedical Science

Revision:

1

For students admitted fall 2013   fall 2012  

Approval

The course was established 22 November 2006.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 15 March 2012 by the Faculty Board of Health and Society .
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012.

Education level

Second cycle

Course description

The aim of the course is to enable the students to acquire a knowledge required for a theoretical surface chemical way of thinking in order to apply this knowledge in research and development in the area of Biomedical Methods and Technology as well as Biomedical and Biotech Industry.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course is mandatory and is given in the first semester of the Master Programme Biomedical Methods and Technology. The course can also be taken as a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (180 hp) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology with a minimum of 15 hp in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
2.The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to
- analyze the importance of surface chemical properties of biological and artificial interfaces,
- describe principles and mechanisms that determine self-organization of molecular structures, e.g., self-organization of liquid crystalline systems using curvature and critical packing parameter,
- perform theoretical analysis of forces acting in colloidal systems,
- formulate and discuss principles of adsorption of surface active substances at different interfaces,
- explain the main factors that affect rheological properties in biopolymer systems, and
- identify and explain parameters that determine stability in dispersed systems.

Assessments

To pass the following is required: approved reports, seminars and passed examination.

The course content is graded as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good
D - Satisfactory
E - Pass
U - Fail

Examination Resits
Students who fail the examination are entitled to at least two retakes with the same course contents and the same requirements to pass. If the course is discontinued or revised, students retain the right to two retakes within one year, based on the original content. The examination and retakes are conducted only at specifically appointed occasions.

Course content

The course is an advanced course in surface and colloid chemistry with focus on applications in biomedical methods and technology. In the course, colloidal and surface chemical structures that exist in nature, for example in living cells and cellular structures as well as those used in applications in bio, biomedical, food, pharmaceutical technology and laboratory methodology are considered. Colloidal and surface chemical structures are described through principles and mechanisms that determine self-association of molecules. The role of intermolecular forces and thermodynamic relations are presented and discussed in order to give theoretical understanding of molecular self-organizations in cell biology and biotechnology as well as to explain behavior of molecules at surfaces (for example adsorption). Surface chemical behavior of surfactants, lipids and biopolymers is described in order to show the factors that define rheological properties and stability in polymer and dispersed systems.

Learning activities

The course is based on active participation of the students. A variety of methods, including interactive lectures/discussions, laboratory experiments, individual studies and an individual project will be utilized for the purpose of achieving the course objectives.

Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.

Reading list and other media

Hamley, I. W. (2007) Introduction to soft matter: synthetic and biological self-assembling materials. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 328.

Holmberg, K., Jönsson, B., Kronberg, B., Lindman, B. (2003) Surfactants and polymers in aqueous solution.. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2003, pp. 545.

Scientific publications will be added.

Course evaluation

A comprehensive course evaluation is carried out at the end of the course. The students are asked to evaluate the quality of the course based on the learning outcomes and how these have been realized. The course coordinator discusses the evaluation results with the students at a pre-announced occasion. The evaluation is subsequently summarized and published on the course website. The evaluation is also discussed the next time the course is given.